178 JOURNAL iOF THE ANDHRA HISTORICAL RESEARCH SOCIETY

hereditary. The question of the superiority of Brahmins over
Khatriyas, or vice-a-^yersa, was not yet finally settled. But the struggle
was on its last legs during this period.

The professional classes mentioned in the inscriptions had not
become hereditary. An inscription as late as Gupta year 141, records
that Kaivai;ti(father), and Hari (son) were bankers, but Hari's son was a
husband man (ASI-A.R. 1871-72). These classes were wealthy and pros-
perous, and had formed themselves into guilds which were so famous for
their organisation, integrity and stabililiy that people deposited with
them thousands for permanent service to the object of charity (E.I.
Vol. XXI, p. 55-61, and C.I.I. Vol. Ill, p. 70)

The foreign element that existed in the region was quite tolerant
to. the indigeneous social systems. Besides they show a tendency
towards assimilation into the Indian society. The inscriptions indi-
crxte.'that they were more inclined towards Buddhism, than towards
Jain or Brahimnical religions.

The society of the Mathura region also accounts for the manner
in which the Mathura school of Art came into existence. It was the
result of the patronage of all the wealthy sections of the society, who
generously donated their shares in building up this great school of
Art.; Besides, we have the proof of the existence of a guild of stone-
dressers who specialise in stone dressings, and whose existences also
proved from certain inscriptions form Kosambi. Tjruely, this School of
Art was not the result of the speeialisaion of a decade or so but must
hive baen ths result of the experience of generations.

Abbreviations

.....,1 ' ,| .! - ,

A.S.I. Archaeological Survey of India.

A.R. Annual Repof-t oftAJSJ^ ,,,.• v.-4

C.I.I. Corpus Inscriptionum Indlcarum.

El. Epigraphia Indica.

12x